Fernando Mendoza was raised just minutes from the University of Miami campus, and has extra motivation for the National Championship game against Carson Beck’s Miami. Mendoza and his Indiana teammates returned to Miami on Saturday, as the PFSN College Football QBi Metric’s No. 2 signal-caller is set to lead the Hoosiers to win their first national title.
Miami Homecoming Sees Fernando Mendoza Emotionally Honor Mom’s MS Battle
Saturday’s National Championship Media Day offered plenty of storylines, including Mendoza’s emotional tribute to his mother, Elsa Mendoza, who has been battling multiple sclerosis (MS) for years.
Despite her chronic illness, Elsa remains a big supporter of the Indiana quarterback, attending his games whenever she can.
Mendoza shared his feelings about playing in front of his mother in his hometown of Miami in the Big Ten Football interview on Saturday.
“My mother is my light, my inspiration,” Mendoza said. “She’s taught me to always stay optimistic whenever it doesn’t look good, whenever it’s a tough day, whenever I see her be optimistic, I’m like, who cares about a bad game, if I had a bad lift, if I had a bad practice, I see her the way that she fights, and overcomes the struggle, then I’ve got to stay optimistic.”
“And it means so much. First of all, it’s a lot easier to travel. It’s in Miami. So that helps a lot. However, to see her, I think that, you know, she’s my ‘why’. Football players and athletes always talk about who their ‘why’ are and what their ‘why’ is. And my mom is my ‘why’. So I cannot be a prouder son and just lucky. I’m so lucky to have such a great mom as her.”
Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around 18 years ago, a condition that disrupts communication between the brain and body. Her symptoms worsened five years ago after a COVID-19 infection, and she now relies on a wheelchair. Mendoza and his brother, Alberto, actively raise funds to combat the disease.
Mendoza mentioning his mother as his ‘why’ is nothing new, as he also paid tribute to Elsa while accepting the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 13.
“Mommy, this is your trophy as much as it is mine,” he said. “You’ve always been my biggest fan. You’re my life. You’re my ‘why’. You’ve always been my biggest supporter…You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong. It’s choosing hope. It’s believing in yourself when the world doesn’t give you much reason to. Together, you and I are rewriting what people think is possible. I love you.”
There was a time when Mendoza was just a two-star recruit and wasn’t receiving any college offers. When he felt defeated and “crying” in bed over the setbacks, Elsa encouraged him to be patient and assured him opportunities would come.
From that moment to now, Elsa continues to inspire her Heisman-winning son through her own physical challenges, just as mothers do for their children.
